From 2014 to 2020, we compiled radiocarbon ages from the lower 48 states, creating a database of more than 100,000 archaeological, geological, and paleontological ages that will be freely available to researchers through the Canadian Archaeological Radiocarbon Database. Here, we discuss the process used to compile ages, general characteristics of the database, and lessons learned from this exercise in “big data” compilation.

Interesterified (IE) fats are widely used to replace partially-hydrogenated fats as hard fats with functional and sensory properties needed for spreads/margarines, baked goods, and confectionary, while avoiding the health hazards of trans fats. Detailed mechanistic work to determine the metabolic effects of interesterification of commonly-consumed hard fats has not yet been done. Earlier studies using fats less commonly consumed have shown either neutral or a lowering effect on postprandial lipaemia. We investigated postprandial lipaemia, lipoprotein remodelling, and triacylglycerol-rich lipoprotein (TRL) fraction apolipoprotein concentrations following a common IE blend of palm oil/kernel fractions versus its non-IE counterpart, alongside a reference monounsaturated (MUFA) oil. A 3-armed, double blind, randomized controlled trial (clinicaltrials.gov NCT03191513) in healthy adults (n = 20; 10 men, 10 women) aged 45–75 y, assessed effects of single meals (897 kcal, 50 g fat, 16 g protein, 88 g carbohydrate) on postprandial plasma triacylglycerol (TAG) concentrations, lipoprotein profiles, and TRL fraction apolipoprotein B48 and TAG concentrations. Test fats were IE 80:20 palm stearin/palm kernel fat, the equivalent non-IE fat, and a high-MUFA reference oil (rapeseed oil, RO). Blood was collected at baseline and hourly for 8 h. Linear mixed modelling was performed, adjusting for treatment order and baseline values (ver. 24.0; SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Total 8 h incremental area under the curves (iAUC) for plasma TAG concentrations were lower following IE and non-IE compared with RO (mean difference in iAUC: non-IE vs. RO -1.8 mmol/L.h (95% CI -3.3, -0.2); IE vs. RO -2.6 mmol/L.h (95% CI -5.3, 0.0)), but iAUCs for IE and non-IE were not significantly different. There were no differences between IE and non-IE for chylomicron fraction apoB48 concentrations nor TAG:apoB48 ratio. No differences were observed between IE and non-IE for lipoprotein (VLDL, HDL, LDL) particle size or sub-class particle concentrations. However, LDL particle diameters were reduced at 5 and 6 h following IE vs RO (P < 0.05). XXL- (including chylomicron remnants and VLDL particles), XL- and L-VLDL particle concentrations (average diameters > 75, 64, and 53.6 nm respectively) were higher following IE and non-IE vs. RO at 6 h (P < 0.05) and 8 h postprandially (P < 0.005–0.05). In conclusion, both IE and non-IE palmitic acid-rich fats generated a greater preponderance of pro-atherogenic large TRL remnant particles in the late postprandial phase relative to an oleic acid-rich oil. However, the process of interesterification did not modify postprandial TAG response or lipoprotein metabolism.

The end of the last Ice Age in Britain (c. 11500 BP) created major disruption to the biosphere. Open habitats were succeeded by more wooded landscapes, and changes occurred to the fauna following the abrupt disappearance of typical glacial herd species, such as reindeer and horse (Conneller & Higham 2015). Understanding the impact of these changes on humans and how quickly they were able to adapt may soon become clearer, due to recent discoveries in the Colne Valley on the western edge of Greater London, north of the River Thames. An exceptionally well-preserved open-air site was discovered in 2014 as part of a wider project of archaeological investigation and excavation carried out by Wessex Archaeology (2015), on behalf of CEMEX UK. The site, at Kingsmead Quarry in Horton, is unusual because it has good organic preservation and, in addition to worked flint artefacts, it has yielded groups of articulated horse bone. The extreme rarity of such sites of this period in Britain makes this discovery especially significant and re-emphasises the potential importance of the Colne Valley (Lacaille 1963; Lewis 2011; Morgi et al. 2011).